Quote:
Originally Posted by C-Rex
So isn't there any updates from the german airline, Deutshe Lufthansa about a possible merger with Alitalia yet?
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Good question. These are some facts as I know them:
- DLH has repeatedly declared having an interest in the Italian market but not in Alitalia "as is";
- DLH owns 100% of Air Dolomiti an Italian-based regional airline which is used mostly as feeder service from Italy to their Munich hub;
- It is in the news of yesterday that Air Dolomiti will base 6 new airplanes at MXP airport to take over some of the European routes abandoned by Alitalia starting from January 2009
As a mere personal thought, I always suspected that DLH is somehow backing Air One, the other Italian airline. This is just a conjecture, but it is a curious coincidence that the two airlines share very similar liveries - while fuselage with dark blue tail & yellow bird - and also that a few of the 737-400 used by Air One were those phased out by DLH years ago.
Air One has been fighting with AF/KL over the acquisition of Alitalia and their proposal was turned down. Anyway Air One has also jumped on Alitalia's decision/necessity to cut down flights at MXP. They have leased 2 A330 for the summer season which will be put into service in June on the MXP-BOS and MXP-ORD routes.
It might be more convenient to break in silently through the window than making a big noise at the main door!